Holmdel Township Info and Homes For Sale

Holmdel Township Info and Homes For Sale

Once home to the Lenni Lenape Indians, Holmdel Township later became a center of European exploration and settlement. The Italians were the first to explore the land, followed by the Dutch, who called the area "New Amsterdam." In the mid 1600s, the Dutch ceded the land to the English. In trade, the English gave the Indians wampum, clothing, guns, wine and tobacco. The Lenni Lenape left behind a sacred burial ground, which can still be found today under Indian Hill at Ackerson Cemetery. Telegraph Hill Park is the highest point in the township and the place the Indians sent smoke signals to communicate. A lot of Holmdel Township real estate still contains pottery shards, arrowheads and ancient Indian tools that residents can find today.

The area was named "Holmdel" on January 21, 1830 and became a township in 1857, but no one is certain where the name came from. Some believe it was named after some of the original settlers who bore the last name "Holmes." Others believe it came from the two words "Holmd" and "dell," which together mean "pleasant valley." From Indian lands to farming community to rural/suburban community, Holmdel Township boasts a rich history and a small-town feel with slightly fewer than 20,000 residents.

Shopping and Dining
There are several specialty shops in Holmdel Township that draw visitors from nearby cities to shop, including several florists that specialize in flower arrangements, balloon decorations and gifts for special occasions. Holmdel Gift Baskets also offers similar gift arrangements. The Children's Place attracts shoppers looking for children's clothing, furnishings and gifts, while Amanda's Hallmark offers greeting cards and gifts. Shoppers can also visit Holmdel Diamond and Jewelry Exchange, Kohl's, Barnes and Noble, and Children's Wear Center. One major shopping center, The Commons, offers many big box stores and familiar names like Old Navy, Michaels, Lane Bryant, Pacsun, Pier 1 Imports and many more.

After a day of shopping, residents can enjoy a variety of restaurants in the township, offering everything from fine cuisine to fast food specialties. Houlihan's is a family-style restaurant that serves American cuisine and offers football specials, party platters and more. Great fare can be had at independent eateries like It's Greek to Me restaurant or Osha Japanese Restaurant; Chili's is a familiar name also available in Holmdel.

Parks and Recreation
There are plenty of things for residents and visitors to do in the area. Holmdel Township's Community Day is held in October and features food, crafts, family activities and local vendors. The township also hosts a summer day camp for children ages 6 to 11 that includes arts, games, sports and special events. Holmdel also has a Senior Center, numerous sports fields for soccer, baseball and football, and a Picnic Pavilion, which can accommodate up to 100 people and may be reserved for parties and special gatherings. There are numerous parks within close proximity to most Holmdel Township real estate. Many of these parks boast hiking and biking trails, sports greens, playgrounds and picnic areas. The township also has a swim club with four pools, tennis courts, basketball courts and more. It also offers swim lessons and a swim team for the avid swimmers in the community.

Residents and visitors can also enjoy plenty of hiking and outdoor opportunities, including at the 240-acre historic Bayonet Farm. There are farmlands as well as wooded trails filled with birds, animals and plant life. Local artists and photographers often roam the trails in search of subjects for their work. Yearly festivals also allow visitors to experience the farm as it was a century ago. The farm also offers barn dances, an Earth Day festival, garden tours and an art and music festival.

Living
Holmdel Township boasts the small-town, quiet environment that so many people desire. It is located within 30 miles of Newark, Jersey City and New York, and just over 50 miles to Philadelphia. Many choose to move to the area because of the quiet lifestyle and for the many outdoor recreational opportunities Holmdel has to offer.

The estimated median home value was just over $699,400 in 2011. Many residents work as computer specialists, in management positions or as top executives. Others work as engineers, sales representatives or medical personnel such as nurses, physicians and surgeons.

Schools, Health, Transportation
There are several choices of schools within close proximity to most Holmdel Township, including both public and private schools. The public schools are widely recognized for their strong academics and high student achievements and include the William R. Satz School, Holmdel High School, and Indian Hill School. For acute medical care, Bayshore Community Hospital is located within township limits.

Most Holmdel residents drive to work or to mass transit stations. There are extensive bus systems in the area, and many residents drive to catch a train into larger cities in the area.